Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji

Panaji, Jun 7: In a major step forward, the Goa government has transferred the investigation of the Rs 5 cr Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) scam to the Crime Branch. The case was initially being probed by Porvorim police, who had arrested five individuals so far.

Sources confirmed that all case files and evidence have been handed over to the Crime Branch for a deeper investigation into the fund misappropriation. The scam involved diversion of Central government funds meant for primary education under SSA.

The Goan had earlier exposed the large-scale financial irregularities, revealing how funds were siphoned off from official accounts. Two people were arrested in May, while three more were taken into custody earlier this month. All five hail from West Bengal.

According to Porvorim police, the accused had acquired SIM cards, bank details, and ATM cards of several account holders and passed them on to other accomplices, who are still on the run. In return, the arrested individuals received monetary benefits periodically.